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Council questions whether Washington should hold ambulance license as countywide arrangement is discussed
Summary
Council members discussed a proposal for Linn ambulance to operate under Washington’s ambulance license and expressed concern about the city being the license holder for a countywide service; council asked county commissioners to engage directly with the city.
WASHINGTON — Members of the Washington City Council raised concerns on June 1 about the prospect of the city holding an ambulance license that would cover multiple towns in the county.
Council Member Allison Kern reported that Linn requested to operate under Washington’s ambulance license and that Fulltime EMT Caroline Scoville drafted a sample schedule showing how Hanover, Linn and Washington might operate under one license. Kern said Linn asked to see a sample schedule; Scoville provided one.
Council Member Mary Ann Crome said she does not feel Washington City should be the holder of a countywide license and suggested the county should hold that responsibility. Council Member Amy Anderson said, "the commissioners need to come to us if they want to operate under our license," and Bryan Loberg said he would like to see an ambulance located in each city.
The council did not adopt a formal policy at the meeting; members characterized the matter as an outstanding operational question that requires further discussion with county officials and among local EMS stakeholders.
Procedural follow-up was implied: the council requested more clarity on roles and schedules for a countywide arrangement and noted staff had provided a sample schedule for consideration. No vote or formal directive shifting license-holding responsibility to the county was recorded in the minutes.
The issue remains open for future discussion with the county commissioners and regional partners.
